Catholic Charities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

Community giving program steps up its efforts to give families impacted by the economic downturn a chance to have a Merry Christmas.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Catholic Charities is reaching out to provide some relief this Christmas Season for families affected by the economic downturn. Due to the increased need of families in the Inland Counties, which suffer from the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, Catholic Charities is emphasizing a creative way of giving called the “Adopt-A-Family” Program. Catholic Charities’ goal is that no families are forgotten during this holiday season.

The “Adopt-A-Family” Program starts October 19th and runs through December 4th, 2009. Families will be assigned to the Adopt-A-Family sponsors during this time period. Actual distribution of gifts will be December 21st, 22nd, and the 23rd. For more information to “Adopt-A-Family” or for directions to a regional site near you call: San Bernardino County: (909) 880-3625; Riverside County: (951) 784-5020; Coachella Valley: (760) 342-0157.

Typically a family, group, organization or business will put together a holiday basket which contains culturally relevant Christmas food staples. Gift certificates are encouraged for meat and perishables to complete the holiday meal. Families may have other special circumstances that a particular group or organization may wish to meet. An inventory of each family's needs is taken and a Christmas wish list is compiled. This gift guide may include toys, clothing, household items, or other needs.

Ken F. Sawa, CEO of Catholic Charities, is inviting parish families, parish groups, community organizations, and local businesses to reserve a spot on their Christmas list for families in need who won’t be able to afford Christmas this year. “We’ve tried to make it easy for people to help,” said Sawa. “I believe families less impacted by the economic crisis have real concern for families that are desperately struggling now, but may not be sure how to help. The “Adopt-A-Family” Program is a perfect opportunity for families, groups, and businesses to directly help a specific family with very real and pressing needs.”

Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers are in direct contact with families that are struggling in our local communities and are able to verify the circumstances of the families eligible for the “Adopt-A-Family” Program. For twenty years, hundreds of families have been adopted for Christmas by caring families, groups, and businesses.

“The sponsoring individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses really come alive with the spirit of giving,” said Beverly Earl, Director of Family & Community Services for San Bernardino County. “You see it their faces when they bring the presents over to their adopted families. Everyone gets excited; it really is something to experience.”

There are many ways to adopt a family. Whether you are joining with other families, members of your church group, sports team, employee group, prayer group, or Small Faith Community, expanding the group allows everyone, including those who can only give a little, to share in the joy. It is in the spirit of partnership that Catholic Charities is inviting individuals, groups and businesses to participate.

When an Adopt-A-Family match is made, the family information and wish lists are sent to the sponsor. Arrangements are made for sponsors to deliver items to the family at their home or the family can meet the sponsors at a Catholic Charities’ office. Many sponsors find the experience so fulfilling that they participate in the program year-after-year. The joy is mutual, as echoed by a Christmas recipient from 2008 who said, “Just know that whoever you are, I am praying that this blessing you gave me will come back tenfold for you."